How much top-off

Scouter Steve · 04-10-2007, 07:57 AM

I am trying to make my system run as long as possible without daily monitoring. I need to be gone two weeks this summer and my fiance is nervous about the responsibility. I am going to portion and label food so that won't be a problem. What I am wondering here is how big a resevoir I can use for top-off that in the event of failure would not dilute my tank to death. Currently I use a seven gallon bucket and refill every third day. My system right now holds about 260-270 gallons. I run at 1.026 normally. I know this is a math problem, just don't see the equation! What I am getting at, is, do I dare set my top off to suck right out of my 32 gal brute RO/DI storage.

lcstorc · 04-10-2007, 08:07 AM

The best way is to use an autotopoff system with dual float switches. Then it will gradually add a small amount of water frequently as needed. With the double float switch you should be able to use the large container without fear. If you don't want to do that, then I would make a lines on the sump for low, normal, and high water levels. Then she will know exactly how much water should be added at a time. I would have her check twice a day so you don't have major variance in the salinity.

sabodish · 04-10-2007, 08:08 AM

thats the way i used to do it on my 360 gallon...just make sure theres no way a snail can get to your float switch, or install a second float at a higher level in the sump to shut off your feed pump if the water level in your sump gets too high.

mps9506 · 04-10-2007, 09:12 AM

I did the dual float switch method myself. One of the better things I did as far as increasing the lazy factor on my tank.

Scouter Steve · 04-10-2007, 09:32 AM

I am using a perilistic doser with a top off switch. I am just wondering what worst case scenario would be. 20 gallons of RO pumped into 270 gallons of 1.026, what is resulting S.G.

KodiakBear · 04-10-2007, 10:11 AM

tagging along... Where did you all get your dual float switches? Anyone DIY?

sabodish · 04-10-2007, 10:23 AM

based on my calcs..if you added all 20 gallons at specific gravity of 1 (di water) to 270 gallons of water with specific gravity of 1.026 you would get a final specific gravity of 1.024...not much to worry about

ill try and write out the equation and just assume you can do the math

C1V1 + C2V2 = C3V3

where C1= tanks specific gravity = 1.026
V1 = tank volume =270 gallons
C2 = ro specific gravity = 1.0
V2 = top off volume = 20 gallons
C3 = new specific gravity (what you are solving for)
V3 = total volume = 290 gallons

go through the math and double check me, but i think i got it right.

Woodstock · 04-10-2007, 10:40 AM

Nice mike! karma to ya!

Kodiak, Brian_e made this dual float switch for me. It is wired into an extension cord and the powerhead is plugged into it. you can see how he encased the floats with acrylic to keep out snails. The maintenance is easy; every 6 months, I remove it, soak it in a strong bleach solution, rinse well, and it is just like new!

sabodish · 04-10-2007, 10:55 AM

thanks doni...looks like those 12 years of college are paying off!

Woodstock · 04-10-2007, 10:58 AM

12 yrs? Nice! Do you carry a crazy mathmatic equation loving calculater like Boomer does?

KodiakBear · 04-10-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabodish

based on my calcs..if you added all 20 gallons at specific gravity of 1 (di water) to 270 gallons of water with specific gravity of 1.026 you would get a final specific gravity of 1.024...not much to worry about

ill try and write out the equation and just assume you can do the math

C1V1 + C2V2 = C3V3

where C1= tanks specific gravity = 1.026
V1 = tank volume =270 gallons
C2 = ro specific gravity = 1.0
V2 = top off volume = 20 gallons
C3 = new specific gravity (what you are solving for)
V3 = total volume = 290 gallons

go through the math and double check me, but i think i got it right.

You're math is right. I made a program using that equation (solved for C3) for my TI-83+ graphing calculator when I started a hyposalinity treatment. Yeah, it's true. I'm a math geek.

KodiakBear · 04-10-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodstock

Nice mike! karma to ya!

Kodiak, Brian_e made this dual float switch for me. It is wired into an extension cord and the powerhead is plugged into it. you can see how he encased the floats with acrylic to keep out snails. The maintenance is easy; every 6 months, I remove it, soak it in a strong bleach solution, rinse well, and it is just like new!

Looks awesome. I saw the pic in your auto-topoff thread. Sent you a PM about it's inner workings. Maybe an auto topoff is in my future.

Woodstock · 04-10-2007, 11:20 AM

PM returned

I LOVE my ATO!! I would never reef without one again!

Scouter Steve · 04-10-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabodish

based on my calcs..if you added all 20 gallons at specific gravity of 1 (di water) to 270 gallons of water with specific gravity of 1.026 you would get a final specific gravity of 1.024...not much to worry about

ill try and write out the equation and just assume you can do the math

C1V1 + C2V2 = C3V3

where C1= tanks specific gravity = 1.026
V1 = tank volume =270 gallons
C2 = ro specific gravity = 1.0
V2 = top off volume = 20 gallons
C3 = new specific gravity (what you are solving for)
V3 = total volume = 290 gallons

go through the math and double check me, but i think i got it right.

Excellent and yes I understand the equation! I wasn't sure how to treat the RO in a math equation. Thanks much.

sabodish · 04-10-2007, 12:50 PM

hey! look at that! im smart!
and no, i dont carry around a calculator...im worse, i try and do all the math in my head!

04-10-2007, 07:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 687 View Gallery Karma Komment	How much top-off I am trying to make my system run as long as possible without daily monitoring. I need to be gone two weeks this summer and my fiance is nervous about the responsibility. I am going to portion and label food so that won't be a problem. What I am wondering here is how big a resevoir I can use for top-off that in the event of failure would not dilute my tank to death. Currently I use a seven gallon bucket and refill every third day. My system right now holds about 260-270 gallons. I run at 1.026 normally. I know this is a math problem, just don't see the equation! What I am getting at, is, do I dare set my top off to suck right out of my 32 gal brute RO/DI storage.

04-10-2007, 08:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much top-off The best way is to use an autotopoff system with dual float switches. Then it will gradually add a small amount of water frequently as needed. With the double float switch you should be able to use the large container without fear. If you don't want to do that, then I would make a lines on the sump for low, normal, and high water levels. Then she will know exactly how much water should be added at a time. I would have her check twice a day so you don't have major variance in the salinity. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

04-10-2007, 08:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
sabodish Fire Coral Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: holly springs, NC Posts: 78 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much top-off thats the way i used to do it on my 360 gallon...just make sure theres no way a snail can get to your float switch, or install a second float at a higher level in the sump to shut off your feed pump if the water level in your sump gets too high. __________________ 180 gallon cube

04-10-2007, 09:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally back Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 8,525 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much top-off I did the dual float switch method myself. One of the better things I did as far as increasing the lazy factor on my tank. __________________ Mike Reefkeeping Since '99 Help Build Reefpedia Premium Memberships Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

04-10-2007, 09:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 687 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much top-off I am using a perilistic doser with a top off switch. I am just wondering what worst case scenario would be. 20 gallons of RO pumped into 270 gallons of 1.026, what is resulting S.G.

04-10-2007, 10:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
KodiakBear Achilles Tang Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbine, GA Posts: 831 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much top-off tagging along... Where did you all get your dual float switches? Anyone DIY? __________________ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" --Isaiah 6:8 Whoever acquires knowledge and does not practice it resembles him who ploughs his land and leaves it unsown. -- Gulistan You can blow out a candle, but you can't blow out a fire, once the flame begins to catch, the wind will blow it higher. -- Peter Gabriel My Confession

04-10-2007, 10:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
sabodish Fire Coral Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: holly springs, NC Posts: 78 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much top-off based on my calcs..if you added all 20 gallons at specific gravity of 1 (di water) to 270 gallons of water with specific gravity of 1.026 you would get a final specific gravity of 1.024...not much to worry about ill try and write out the equation and just assume you can do the math C1V1 + C2V2 = C3V3 where C1= tanks specific gravity = 1.026 V1 = tank volume =270 gallons C2 = ro specific gravity = 1.0 V2 = top off volume = 20 gallons C3 = new specific gravity (what you are solving for) V3 = total volume = 290 gallons go through the math and double check me, but i think i got it right. __________________ 180 gallon cube

04-10-2007, 10:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much top-off Nice mike! karma to ya! Kodiak, Brian_e made this dual float switch for me. It is wired into an extension cord and the powerhead is plugged into it. you can see how he encased the floats with acrylic to keep out snails. The maintenance is easy; every 6 months, I remove it, soak it in a strong bleach solution, rinse well, and it is just like new! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

04-10-2007, 10:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
sabodish Fire Coral Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: holly springs, NC Posts: 78 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much top-off thanks doni...looks like those 12 years of college are paying off! __________________ 180 gallon cube

04-10-2007, 10:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much top-off 12 yrs? Nice! Do you carry a crazy mathmatic equation loving calculater like Boomer does? __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

04-10-2007, 11:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much top-off PM returned I LOVE my ATO!! I would never reef without one again! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

04-10-2007, 12:50 PM	#15 (permalink)
sabodish Fire Coral Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: holly springs, NC Posts: 78 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much top-off hey! look at that! im smart! and no, i dont carry around a calculator...im worse, i try and do all the math in my head! __________________ 180 gallon cube

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